Managing Your Recreation Time

Posted on: 18 March 2022

After years of lockdowns, masking, and social distancing – and then vaccines – people are starting to search for more things to do that will let them get out and enjoy the day while also letting them be as cautious as they want to be regarding the continuing COVID pandemic. Outdoor activities in small groups, such as white water rafting, are perfect for this. If you've never gone white water rafting before and have visions of churning water flipping over rafts, don't worry. That's not what most trips are like to begin with, and that's certainly not what beginner trips are like at all. Still, you'll need to prepare as most of these trips involve some camping and a lot of water.

Don't Assume the Weather Will Be Warm

Pictures of happy rafters in swimsuits and life jackets and rafting seasons that start in spring make this look like an activity done during warm and hot weather. That's not always the case. Depending on the location and timing, the weather could still be rather cool, especially at night. You could have warm days but end up with temperatures dipping into much colder ranges as you try to sleep. Pay attention to advice from the rafting company about cold-weather clothing and sleeping bags/tents. If you're not sure what to expect at the exact time you're going, contact the rafting company.

Be Realistic About What You Can Do

If you've never gone rafting before – and no, kayaking and sailing don't count as experience with rafting – be very realistic about your abilities. If you are not a good swimmer, double-check with the company about whether you should go on a rafting trip; the life jacket helps if you go overboard, but in a river, you really need some swimming skills so you don't float away with the current. It could be that improving your swimming skills should be your current priority, and you can plan a rafting trip later in the season or next year.

Please Follow COVID Mitigation Procedures

Rafting companies have created COVID mitigation plans that aim to keep everyone safe while also allowing for fun. Some companies are requiring masks on buses to the camping site, for example, but not requiring them on the rafts themselves. Whatever the plan, if you decide to go on a rafting trip organized by that company, please follow their rules.

White water rafting is an exciting adventure that takes you through beautiful scenery with a bunch of great people. Even if you've never gone near a raft before, you can take a beginner white water rafting trip and see if this is a sport you want to continue doing.